I have watched golf on TV for years but never have I taken into account the efforts that go into the actual setup for the spectators especially if the viewing area is limited in walking and standing space. At this course, ten buildings are being erected for guests, refreshments, media etc. and some of them are as tall as three stories. And as we walked by the varied buildings, I could not help but analyze the basic construction. It occurred to me that the ten basic building steps could very well be associated with Christ building us into what and who he has envisioned us to be:
1) Blueprint - God has a plan designed specifically for his individual vision for each of our lives. Though our journeys are diverse, and his design varies in shape, color, ideas, opinions, gifts and experiences, his master plan remains steadfast: to love us, forgive us, grow us and bring us to himself. His vision is clear.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
2) The Foundation of these buildings begin with two-foot square boards securely carved and set into the ground at specified intervals - our foundation as believers of Jesus Christ sits squarely on our beliefs that He has set in our hearts for our daily walk, one square at time.
Luke 6:48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid a foundation on a rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
3) Metal Scaffolding built upon the boards - once the squares are set, the God begins to join together the inner workings of life experiences, our talents, our gifts, our paths, our relationships, our trials, our hardships, etc. They all are connected as God begins to transform our thinking, our attitudes, and our deeds to be focused on Him and others rather than ourselves.
Matthew 7:24[ The Wise and Foolish Builders ] “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
4) Decking - once the scaffolding is in place, God lays down His platform of truth from which we are able to stand firm on and pass along.
Nehemiah 8:4 Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. (what is our platform...what are we teaching)
5) Framework for the actual building - this is where our choices and beliefs began to take shape and who we are and who we worship are seen through our character, integrity and honesty that we profess. It is either reflected in our words and our ways or not.
Luke 10:27He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
6) Mesh Covering for the scaffolding - the mesh covering hit me the hardest, because so many times we camouflage what is underneath our skin deep appearance. We often times hide our failures, are shamed by our mistakes,
saddened by our losses, tethered by our trials, challenged by comparisons, and are insecure in who we think we are rather than realizing the masterpiece of who God knows we are. We forfeit the joy of living life one day at a time by living behind a veil instead of realizing that the very things that cause us unrest and stress are the very things God wants us trust him with. That scaffolding is the very substance of who we are, and how we are
assembled.
Psalm 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalm 145 14-15 The Lord is faithful in all his words and gracious in all his deeds, The lord upholds those who are falling and raises up those who are bowed down.
7) Enclosed walls, doors and windows - this is my favorite. Because windows are doors are the avenues that God uses to help define the direction that he is urging us to go. He closes some and opens others, not for his benefit but for ours, so that we will stay on course, on His course. And as for the walls, without walls there is no structure to hold the windows and doors in place. When you hit a wall, there has got to be a window or a door close by!
Matthew 7:8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
8) Stairways - to get to the deck you have to take one step at a time. For the deck is too tall to climb, and these stairways are a means to lead you upward, or to help you come back down and be grounded.
Psalm 37:23-24 The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
9) Roof - the roof is the highest part of the building...and that my friend is where Christ wants our hearts to be; Up high with HIM! Loving HIM, looking up to HIM, having faith in HIM, trusting HIM and abiding in HIM.
Psalm 36:5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
10) Covering - In the end of this building process the structure is secure and protected, as we are everyday and in every way under the loving watch of Christ the King!
Psalm 121:8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Next time you are watching a golf tournament, just take a minute to reflect and consider all that it takes to prep for the tournament. That is what God is doing to us each day....prepping us to be a vessel for His kingdom. He gives us a platform not only to share His story but to watch the play around us and be grateful for opportunities to see His work in action, and experience a personal friendship with Christ that will forever be a blessing.
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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